I'm experiencing symptoms of a blown head gasket -- I am losing water from the radiator and I don't see any major leaks anywhere. There is a light brown, spotty sludge on my oil cap.
So, is there any way to verify that it is a blown head gasket?
If it is, how soon do I need to repair it? Obviously I need to watch my engine temp (still holding at 190) and keep water in the radiator. Will I suddenly get a white vapor cloud behind the truck and know I need to pull over and tow it home?
I've never been inside an engine before. I've changed the carb, starter, alt, pwr steering pump, distributer, etc. in my driveway. Is the head gasket replacement feasible for me? How long should it take a competent but inexperienced wrencher?
Finally, if I do it, or get the shop to do it, is there anything else I should look for or do at the same time? The motor has about 130k on it, and 45k since rebuild. The rebuild was basically mill where necessary, add a crank, and replace anything broken or worn. (no oiling mods, porting, etc.)
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 25-Apr-01 AT 06:48*PM (EST)[/font][p]When you pull your dipstick does it have a creamy looking foam on it? And do a compression test as low compression on two adjacent cylinders is a usual signal
>When you pull your dipstick does
>it have a creamy looking
>foam on it?
No, not really. The oil looks very thin, but my pressure is much higher than normal. It's up around 70 at idle -- usually it sits around 20 at idle and up to about 50 when revved up.
>And do
>a compression test as low
>compression on two adjacent cylinders
>is a usual signal
My compression tester is at my Dad's, so I will do that tomorrow. Thanks!
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